55 welded wheels

[Roy B.]

I see in the new fifth edition of the JM they now recognize welded wheels which my 55 originally always had and was told no. Even here (pic.) in 55 showing tubeless tires .

[Ray G.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

Hi Roy;
On metal '55s (15 x 5") we have always believed there were 3 different wheels;
Welded = web to ring
Riveted = web to ring w/ round head rivets
Riveted = web to ring w/ square head rivets.

Also that metal cars produced in St. Louis had welded wheels.

Back in the day wheels and tires were switched car to car at Dealerships until the advent of 4 3/4" & 5" BPs.

Wouldn't swear to any of that in court, but that's my 2 cents.

Ray

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

The early 55's may have been riveted ,that can be judged and determined by checking at the valve stem they will have a tube.
Mine is welded being a later second design that can be judged and determined again by checking at the valve stem NO TUBE .

But now like the head light bulbs page 29 where they say the 55 had 12V (TIN BACKS "ALL" ) and again don't mention the later second design SEAL BEAM 12V that is all sealed Glass but still having the 12V logo in the bulb. Here again that can be determined by looking at the outer edge , TIN backs will have a black seal all around the glass and the second design being all glass will not.

I've made mention of this for many years but that's as fare as it got.

[Bill M.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

Hi Roy;
On metal '55s (15 x 5") we have always believed there were 3 different wheels;
Welded = web to ring
Riveted = web to ring w/ round head rivets
Riveted = web to ring w/ square head rivets.

Ray

My '55 Bel Air had round head rivets.

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-CHEVY-CORVETTE-BELAIR-PONT-ONE-YEAR-ONLY-RARE-GM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140737QQihZ003QQitemZ130270132486QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Here is some that knows his headlights for Corvette and car

[Ray G.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

Great History Roy.

Didn't know about the "tin back" headlights.

Spent much of my youth (60s) in junk(salvage) yards looking for parts.

Thanks.
Ray

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

Great History Roy.

Didn't know about the "tin back" headlights.

Spent much of my youth (60s) in junk(salvage) yards looking for parts.

Thanks.
Ray

Thanks for your interest , here is the tin back (left) and the later glass second design seal beam.

[Troy P.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

I recently sold a 12V steel backed bulb to a 55 owner. This one was used. I previously had one NOS that came in a NOS 55 Chevy headlight bucket, complete with chrome bezel. Those are the only two I've ever found in years of looking. I've never looked for the glass one Roy shows.

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 welded wheels

It is vary rare to find the 12V tin backs but near impossible to find the glass 12V because the tin backs can be rebuilt , the glass units when blown cant be. Tri-five Chevy guys are looking for both because they know about them for their judging. As I've said to many times about NCRS judging and the JM if it's not judged few people care or I should say know.